11 random things...

from Krista over at Saturated Canary

Some Questions:

There are five rules:

1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you've tagged them.

11 Randoms

1. This is a picture I took yesterday. I feel like an idiot taking pics of myself, but I wanted to document my new haircut :)

2. I'm FB chatting with my brother. He travels every week for work and I don't get to see him often

3. I am OCD about random things. Legitimately OCD. My dad is too! But different random things lol

4. All I want to do right now is bundle up and go hiking

5. I love to cook. I cook elaborate meals for dinner almost every single day. I am pretty great at it, but I started learning at 3, so I have had lots of practice

6. I have a habit of reading 2-3 books at a time. I read about a book a day, everyday

7. It's bright and sunny outside right now. It's also freezing out

8. I am 7 years younger than my husband.

9. I only listen to sad music. I can't freaking stand happy songs at all haha! But I am definitely a happy person

10. Amish country is one of my favorite places to waste time

11. I plan my travels around whether or not there will be cool museums to visit, which is probably not for everyone, but my hubby is a good sport!

Questions:
1. Favorite nail color?

I have a vivid turquoise that I'm into right now

2. Pink or RED lipstick?...or are you a gloss kinda gal?

I don't wear lipstick often but when I do I wear candy apple red

3. Where would you like to go if you could go anywhere on Earth?

I am dying to go to Paris

4. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

I'm a night owl, always have been

5. Are you really chatty or super quiet? Or maybe somewhere in between??

In between, I'll talk to anybody, but I don't really strike up convos

6. What is one thing you want to accomplish this year?

This year, I've already accomplished so much!

7. What is your best talent/gift?

Trivia. I am the king of random trivia

8. Do you have a tattoo?

I have 3 tattoos. An Irish one on my back, my last name on one ankle, and another small one on my other ankle

9. What is one thing you'd like to learn more about?

Business. I'd like to open a brick and mortar store in the next few years.

10. You're alter ego would be a _______. (think occupation:)

Fighter pilot, without a doubt! That is the most badass thing I can think of, and I'm a little obsessed with Top Gun

11. What three people (past or present) would you like to meet?

I never got to meet my dad's Mom, so she is my #1. #2 would be the architect of my favorite house and #3 I'd like to meet James Cagney :)

My Questions for You:

1. What city did you grow up in?

2. What is the oldest item of clothing you own?

3. What is your favorite movie, and why?

4. When did you begin blogging?

5. What are your lesser know hobbies/talents?

6. What kind of car do you drive? Do you like it?

7. If you could change any 1 thing in your life, no matter how big, what would it be?

8. What is your favorite city?

9. What is your favorite meal to eat?

10. Have any of your relatives (ancestor-present day) served in the military?

11. What are you most looking forward to in 2012?

I keep my blog pretty vague/anon so I thought I'd share some randoms :)

These days

So far, this year is treating me quite well. I have a new job that I really like. I am happy with so many opportunities I have found lately! Hawk got a new job he really wanted and we're hoping to put our house on the market within the next 18 months. I can't wait to find our forever house and say goodbye to our little first house :)

The First Night of 2012

On NYE we went to an event called First Night. You buy a button to wear which is your ticket in to various events all night. Last year was our first visit and we LOVED it! I am a big fan of live music, museums and architecture, so it was made for me. Some highlights were:

Lisa & Heather Malyuk are sisters and phenomenal musicians. They play modern, celtic, folky stuff, LOVE them!

I was so excited to see them perform in our local Art Museum lobby! It's a pretty space.

The next performance we saw was in the gorgeous ballroom of a building called Greystone Hall. It was built in 1917, and the architecture is breathtaking

This year there were horse drawn carriage rides. This was extremely popular, and we did not want to wait in line for 1 1/2 hrs, so we skipped it.

we explored the Civic Theater which is my favorite building in the city. I sang here with choirs years ago, and my high school graduation was also held here!

there was a "make-your-own" mask craft, which we did for the 2nd yr

this made me smile the most. My Grandmother used to work in this building!

and finally we saw opera performances in the Actor's Summit which is actually on the top floor of the building the ballroom is in.

We had an absolutely wonderful end to a completely awful year!

Thank you for waring so we do not need to war

I'm a couple weeks behind, what else is new?

As you may or may not know, I have an 8 year old step-daughter. She is in 3rd grade at a great little school. About a week before Christmas, a big yellow envelope arrived in the mail, addressed to my husband. When we opened it, we discovered that it was from the guidance counselor at my step-daughter's school, this is what HER card said:

and this is what was inside:

There are 30 of them! The kids wrote, colored and decorated these cards for parents of students that are in the military. My husband and I were completely blown away. Here is a small sample of the insides :)





but THIS one is my favorite. This one is so innocent but meaningful to me. This kid knows exactly why my husband and so many others do what they do, even if he doesn't really understand. The core reason why they serve is in hopes that future generations don't have to.

we sat and read every single card. It was a highlight of our holiday season!